Chapter 21: Everyone Shut Up

Liu Chuxue ignored the person questioning her. Instead, she pushed through the crowd and walked straight to her mother's side. "Eldest Aunt, have you become addicted to bullying our branch of the family? Do you think because my father is injured and not at home, there is no one to protect us, so you can act even more recklessly?"

"You little brat, how dare you speak to your elders like that?"

"Am I wrong? Are you even worthy of being my elder? What kind of elder would destroy the reputation of their own junior?"

The three consecutive questions immediately put Ge Xiulan on the spot.

The onlookers began to whisper among themselves: "What Chuxue said isn't wrong. Shanggang's wife is bullying them too much. No matter what, she is still her own niece. Given her behavior today, she truly isn't fit to be an elder."

At this moment, Old Mrs. Liu finally realized what was happening. Unsure of what her eldest daughter-in-law was up to, she felt she had gone too far; after all, if this girl's reputation was ruined, how could the Liu family's reputation remain intact? "Eldest daughter-in-law, what nonsense are you talking about all day long?"

She naturally didn't know what her eldest son was plotting. She only thought that since this girl was about to graduate and get married, if her reputation were ruined, how could they demand a high bride price from the Chen family? She wondered if her eldest daughter-in-law had lost her mind. "Chuxue, don't listen to your Eldest Aunt's nonsense. She's just worried about you but doesn't know how to express it properly, which is why she didn't make herself clear."

If Liu Chuxue hadn't returned home again last night, she might have been moved by these words. But now, her goal was to escalate the matter; how could she let them have their way? "Today's performance has truly opened my eyes. Grandma, you led the juniors to stop my mother from borrowing money, and Eldest Aunt didn't even hesitate to ruin my reputation. You are all conspiring together to leave our branch of the family no way to survive."

The crowd immediately broke into low discussions again: "What Chuxue said makes sense. It's one thing for the Liu family not to provide money to treat the second son's leg, but to stop the second wife from borrowing money? Who doesn't want their own son to get better?"

"It really is bullying."

"The old Liu couple usually tells everyone they don't have those sexist views and that they treat the second son and the other two sons equally, but they've been exposed the moment something happens. If something had happened to the eldest or third son, they certainly wouldn't act this way."

Hearing the discussions, Old Man Liu, who had rushed over, roared with a face as pale as ash, "What's all this noise? Aren't you ashamed? All of you, get back to your homes!"

After roaring, he turned and walked toward the house.

He truly hadn't expected his wife to be as foolish as his eldest daughter-in-law. Wasn't this just handing gossip to the villagers on a silver platter? With today's incident, their family's reputation was effectively ruined.

As he walked back, he couldn't help but frown while thinking of a strategy: Since things had reached this point and they were already losing face, he might as well go all the way. Previously, they hadn't split the household because they wanted the second branch to help raise a few grandchildren. Now that the second son could barely take care of himself, it would be better to use this opportunity to split the family and rid themselves of the burden of his children and grandchildren.

Since it was a rare occasion for excitement in the village, the villagers' gossiping nature burned like a raging fire. Seeing the Liu family leave, the crowd gathered again in front of the Liu family's main gate after a short while.

Old Mrs. Liu entered the courtyard cursing all the way. She turned around and glared furiously at the mother and daughter from the second branch who followed behind, snapping through gritted teeth, "Close the main gate and get in here!"

But just as she finished speaking, Old Man Liu's angry voice drifted in: "Ruhua, go to the fields and call your father and third uncle back."

Although Liu Ruhua from the first branch was reluctant to make the trip, seeing her grandfather's dark expression, she didn't dare say "no." She gave an answer and ran out.

(End of Chapter)